CemeteryofChoice - Safe and Legal Abortion Deaths

"Back alley butchers" were converted to "compassionate providers of vital reproductive health care services" at the stroke of a pen. What difference has this made for women and their families?

Please bear in mind that this is not a complete listing of all the women whose safe, legal abortions were the last choice they ever made. I can only do write-ups of abortion deaths I personally can find information about. The Centers for Disease Control counted 386 safe and legal abortion deaths during the period 1972 - 2003. Their count doesn't include women who died because their abortions fatally delayed the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. Nor does it count those women whose abortions, unbeknownst to them, turned out to be illegal by the CDC's definitions, such as Myrta Baptiste, whose abortionist's medical license was suspended at the time of her abortion. So while there is some overlap between the deaths I note and the deaths the CDC bothers to count, the two are hardly the same.

If you would like to read these women's stories in reverse chronological order, go to the Tombstone Signs List.

Charisse Ards

Belinda Byrd

Marla Cardamone

Mary Ann Dancy

Tamika Dowdy

Sherry Emry

Christin Gilbert

Edrica Goode

Laura Grunas

Carolina Gutierrez

Sharon Hamplton and her son

Lou Ann Herron

Diana Lopez

Michelle Madden

Jennifer McKenna-Morbelli

Kathy McKnight

Sandra Milton

Karnamaya Mongar

Jamie Morales

Alexandra Nunez

Venus Ortiz

Vanessa Preston

Holly Patterson

Tonya Reaves

Antonesha Ross

Tamiia Russell

Oriane Shevin

Laura Hope Smith

Christi Stile

Michelle Thames

Maureen Tyke

Lakisha Wilson

Stacy Zallie

Diane Adams, 28, of the U.S. Virgin Islands, died in 1992
Eurice Agbagaa, 26, left hemorrhaging in the care of a receptionist, died in 1989
Leigh Ann Alford, 34, sent home from a National Abortion Federation member clinic with an undiagnosed uterine perforation in 2003
"Gabriella Alonso," left unattended in recovery, spent six years in a coma until her death in 2002.
Demetrice Andrews, 22, multiple organ failure after abortion in 1988
Mickey Apodaca, 28, whose abortionist was out on bail while challenging a murder conviction, died in 1984
Gloria Aponte, 20, whose NAF member abortionist allowed his receptionist to administer general anesthesia, died in 1986
Charisse Ards, 20, died of post-abortion pelvic infection in 1989
Barbara Auerbach, 38, died from complications of a bowel obstruction caused by her abortion in 1981
KB, age 19, was charted at "pink, alert, responsive" as she died in 1988
Jacqueline Bailey, 29, died from uterine rupture in 1977
Brenda Banks, 35, bled to death from multiple lacerated blood vessels in 1989
Myrta Baptiste, 26, died from what the Centers for Disease Control classified as an "illegal" abortion in 1982
Lisa Bardsley, 26, was sent to her motel room, hemorrhaging from internal lacerations that killed her in 1995
Junette Barnes, 27, bled to death from severed uterine blood vessels in 1988
Deanna Bell, 13, overdosed and died from an "uneventful" abortion at Family Planning Associates in 1992
Brenda Benton, 35, died of overwhelming septicemia in 1987
Rosario Bermeo, 30, went into cardiac arrest and died in 1983
Janet Blaum, 37, died of anesthesia complications and brain hemorrhage in 1974
Cassandra Bleavins, 20, bled to death in 1971
Linda Boom, 35, died from complications of an obsolete abortion technique in 1995
Diane Boyd, 19, a mentally disabled rape victim, given contraindicated medication, died 1981
Mary Bradley, 41, hemorrhage and clotting problems in 1985
Dorothy Brown, 37, died within hours of her abortion in 1974, becoming the third patient to die in two years after abortion at Friendship Medical Center in Chicago
Dorothy Bryant, 22, died of abortion complications in 1986
Chanelle Bryant, 22, died after getting abortion drugs from a Family Planning Associates clinic in 2004
Belinda Byrd, 37, died after five-minute abortion in 1987
Janyth Caldwell, 36, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1986
Joan Camp, 22, died from abortion complications in 1985
Marla Cardamone, 18, died after being browbeaten into an unwanted abortion in 1989
Teresa Causey, 17, died clutching her mother's hand in 1988
Claudia Caventou, 33, was heard screaming in the abortion clinic before she died in 1986
Patricia Chacon, 16, developed clotting problems and died in 1984
Colleen Chambers, 34, died from blood clots in her lungs and legs in 1984
Ying Chen, 30, not resuscitated properly after respiratory arrest, 2009
"Susanna Chisolm", 35, left four children motherless when she bled to death in 1975
Gwendolyn Cliett, 29, died from an anesthesia reaction in 1980
Margaret Clodfelter, 19, died from infection in 1989
Pamela Colson, 31, sent home to bleed to death in 1994
Geneva Colton, 21, bled to death in 1979
Andrea Corey, 31, died of septic shock in 1993
Liliana Cortez, 22, died of abortion complications in 1986 at the notorious Her Medical Clinic
Edith Cote, 38, died from pulmonary embolism in 1991
Sheryl Cottone, 23, died from an embolism in her heart in 1981
Twila Coulter, 21, died of cerebral hemorrhage in 1972
Denise Crowe, 21, doped up and not properly resuscitated, 2006
Carol Cunningham, 21, killed herself after her abortion in 1986
Betty Damato, 26, given a trash bag to expel the fetus into, died of infection in 1980
Mary Ann Dancy, 32, bled to death in 1990
Angel Dardie, 22, died from saline abortion in 1982
Barbaralee Davis, 18, bled to death in 1977 after being sent home with face and spine of her fetus imbedded in a slash in her uterus
Glenda Davis, 31, left two children motherless when she died in 1989
Kathy Davis, 26, died of heart failure in 1987
Margaret Davis, 33, died from abortion-triggered sickle-cell crisis in 1971
Sharon Davis, 17, died from infection in 1983
Marina DeChapell, 34, died in a clinic owned by a former criminal abortionist in 1978
Arlin dela Cruz, age 19, hanged herself after her abortion in 1992
Synthia Dennard, 24, bled to death after an abortion performed when she wasn't even pregnant, in 1989
Alerte Desanges, 36, left elderly mother and three daughters with no support when she died in 1994
Barbara Dillon, 22, died from an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy that ruptured after her abortion in 1981
Jane Doe of Newark, 20, bled to death from a perforated uterus in 1993
Laniece Dorsey, 17, went into a coma and died after anesthesia complications in 1986
Tamika Dowdy, 22, died from abortion complications in 1998
Gwendolyn Drummer, 15, died when saline got into bloodstream during abortion in 1972
Anjelica Duarte, 21, bled to death in 1991
Evelyn Dudley, 38, bled to death in 1973 from abortion at clinic run by civil-rights-activist-turned-abortionist T. R. Mason Howard.
Sherry Emry, 26, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1978
Georgianna English, 32, died of anesthesia complications in 1980
Maureen Espinoza, 16, died from a punctured uterus in 1997
Gladyss Estanislao, 28, bled to death on the bathroom floor in 1989
Erna Fisher, 18, choked to death on her own vomit in 1988
Bonnie Fix, 38, left four children motherless when she died in 1974
Sharon Floyd, 18, died 1975 after an abortion at a seedy facility featured in the Chicago Sun-Times "Abortion Profiteers" series
Linda Fondren, 21, died of blood poisoning in 1974
Christella Forte, 16, died when saline was injected into her bloodstream in 1986
Janet Foster, 18, died of septic abortion in 1971
Glenna Jean Fox, 17, bled to death in 1989
Jammie Garcia, 14, died of massive infection in 1994
Josefina Garcia, hemorrhaged and died in 1985
Marie Gibson, 34, died after abortion in hospital in 1980
Christin Gilbert, 19, died from third-trimester abortion at George Tiller's clinic in 2005
Kathleen Gilbert, 29, bled to death from punctured uterus in 1985
Christina Goesswein, 19, died from amniotic fluid embolism in 1990
Gaylene Golden, 21, left child motherless when she died in 1985
Maria Gomez, 39, bled to death in 1976
Rita Goncalves, 25, died of abortion complications in 1984
Edrica Goode, 21, died of infection in 2007
Shary Graham, 34, bled to death from a cervical laceration in 1982
Doris Grant, 32, bled to death in 1971
Debra Gray, 34, died of anesthesia complications in 1989
Laura Grunas, 30, killed her baby's father, then herself, in 2006
Carolina Gutierrez, 21, lost limbs then died of gangrene and sepsis in 1996
Angela Hall, 27, died of sepsis in 1991
Jennifer Halner, 27, medic so appalled at her "treatment" that he reported to the medical board, 1997
Sharon Hamptlon, 27, bled to death in the back seat of her mother's car in 1996
Arnetta Hardaway, 18, died of infection and hemorrhage in 1985
Gracealynn "Tammy" Harris, 19, sent home when too weak to walk, died in 1997
Wilma Harris, 17, was left unattended for 12 hours before she died in 1974
L'Echelle Head, 21, died after an abortion in 2000
Sheila Hebert, 27, died of abortion complications in 1984
Donna Heim, 20, went into a coma and died in 1986
Melissa Heim, 18, not properly monitored or resuscitated, 2001
Lou Ann Herron, 33, bled to death in 1998
Moris Helen Herron, 26, suffered perforated intestines and died in 1983
Rhonda Hess, 20, died of infection in 1982
Betty Hines, 21, died of abortion-related sickle-cell crisis in 1971
"Linda Michelle Hoffman," 19, died of perforated uterus and incomplete abortion in 1970
Denise Holmes, 24, died from fetal bone marrow in her lungs in 1970
Barbara Hoppert, 16, died from a doctor-recommended abortion in 1983
Mary Ives, 28, died of amniotic fluid embolism in 1983
Karretu Jabbie, 24, bled to death in 1989
Louchrisser Jackson, 23, died of hemorrhage in 1977
Regina Johnson, 32, anesthesia screw-up at National Abortion Federation member, 2003
Nakia Jorden, 16, not properly monitored, anesthesia screw-up at NAF member FPA, 1998
Sandra Kaiser, 14, committed suicide after her abortion in 1984
Patricia King, 24, died after being ineptly resuscitated in 1987
Giseline Lafontant, 25, died of abortion complications in 1993
Minnie Lathan, 41, died of infection in 1978
Maria Leho, given the wrong drugs at NAF member FPA in 1999
Barbara Lerner, 30, died of blood poisoning in 1981
Susan Levy, 30, homeless, found dead in a car in 1992
Cora Lewis, 23, died of lung abscesses in 1983
Sara Lint, 22, died of abortion complications in 1970
Maria Lira, 19, sent home with decomposing fetus in her uterus, died in 1974
Suzanne Logan, 34, left paralyzed and mute after abortion, died in 1992
Diana Lopez, 25, bled to death after Planned Parenthood abortion in 2002
Linda Lovelace, 21, died of sepsis in 1980
Elva Lozada, died of abortion complications in 1964
Deborah Lozinski, 17, went into coma and died in 1985
Dawn Mack, 21, went into cardiac arrest, died in 1991
Michelle Madden, 18, died just before Thanksgiving in 1986
Sharon Margrave, 25, died from abortion in 1970
Haley Mason, 22, killed herself after an abortion in 2001
Gail Mazo, 27, died of aspiration complications in 1979
Sophie McCoy, 17, died of septic shock after abortion by "The Butcher of Avenue A" in 1990
Rita McDowell, 16, awoke screaming, collapsed in her mother's arms, and died in 1975
Myria McFadden, 28, developed breathing problems and died in 1987
Evangeline McKenna, 38, died after 12 days on life support in 1974
Jennifer McKenna-Morbelli, 29, died after a 33-week abortion at a National Abortion Federation member clinic in Maryland in 2013.
Kathy McKnight, 36, died of pulmonary embolism 1993
Kendra McLeod, 22, bled to death 1998
Lynn McNair, 24, died of amniotic fluid embolism in 1979
Dawn Mendoza, 28, died from amniotic fluid embolism in 1988
Yvonne Mesteth, 18, died of infection in 1985
Natalie Meyers, 16, died of complications of a saline abortion in 1972
Sandra Milton, 23, bled to death in front of her three children in 1990
Mitsue Mohar, 31, developed hypoxic encepholpathy and died in 1975
Karnamaya Mongar, 41, drugged to death in 2009 at Kermit Gosnell's Philly "house of horrors"
Ruth Montero, 23, died of hemorrhage in 1979
Denise Montoya, 15, died from complications of a 25-week abortion in 1988
Beverly Moore, 15, parents were told she was "all right" just before she died in 1975
Sylvia Moore, 18, shoved bleeding out the door to die New Years Eve of 1986
Christine Mora, 18, died of septicemia and brain hemorrhage in 1994
Jamie Lee Morales, 30, bled to death after a "vaginal rejuvenation" specialist slashed a uterine artery during an abortion in July of 2016.
Maura Morales, 25, went into ventricular fibrillation and died in 1981
Shelby Moran, 60, mother of five left incapacitated for over twenty years before she died in 1999
Katherine Morse, 20, died from saline abortion complications in 1970
Kelly Morse, 32, given drugs she was allergic to, died in 1992
Loretta Morton, 16, died of pulmonary embolism in 1984
Kathy Murphy, 17, died of sepsis in 1973, the first of at least five women to die from abortions at Inglewood Women's Hospital
Dorothy Muzorewa, 25, apartment "wall to wall blood" when she died in 1974
Guadalupe Negron, 33, bled to death in filthy clinic in 1993
Kimberly Neil, another Family Planning Associates Medical Group victim, died in 2000
"Geraldine Newhart", 14, found dead on bathroom floor in 1984
Sara Niebel, 15, screamed on the way to the hospital, died in 1994
Alexandra Nunez, 37, bled to death in 2010
Maria Ortega, 23, fetus pushed into abdomen, died in 1970
Joyce Ortenzio, 32, fatally overdosed on abortion medications in 1988
Venus Ortiz, 29, died after five-year coma in 1998
Linda Padfield, 28, died of massive infection after 1973 abortion by former criminal abortionist Benjamin Munson
Mary Ann Page, 36, died of cardiac arrest after abortion in 1977
Mary Paredez, 26, died of hemorrhage in 1977
Holly Patterson, 18, died of sepsis after RU-486 abortion in 2003
Shirley Payne, 33, bled to death from uterine puncture in 1983
Mary Pena, 43, left five children motherless when she died in 1984
DaNette Pergusson, 19, died of pulmonary embolism in 1992
Erika Peterson, 28, died after "therapeutic" abortion in 1961
Catherine Pierce, 27, left unattended, went into coma, languished and died in 1989
Katrina Poole, 16, bled to death in 1988
Yvette Poteat, 26, died of undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1985
Vanessa Preston, 22, died of clotting disorder in 1980
Dawn Ravenell, 13, went into coma after secret abortion, died in 1985
Tonya Reaves, 24, bled to death after an abortion at Planned Parenthood in 2012
Jacqueline Reynolds, 22, died of anesthesia complications in 1986
Erica Richardson, 16, died when aunt brought her for secret abortion in 1989
Carmen Rodriguez, 31, left two children motherless when she died in 1970
Luz Rodriguez, 40, bled to death from incomplete abortion in 1986
Maria Rodriguez, 22, bled to death from ruptured uterus at NAF member FPA, 2000
Magdalena Rodriguez, 23, lacerated internally, bled to death in 1994
Rosael Rodriguez, 21, died of abortion complications in 1986
Adelle Roe, age 26, given slipshod care, died in 2002
Amy Roe, 35, died of pulmonary embolism in 1971
Annie Roe, 29, went into cardiac arrest and died in 1971
Andrea Roe, 26, left six children motherless when she died in 1971
Anita Roe, 23, injected with saline, sent home to die in 1971
April Roe, 17, died from saline abortion in 1971
Audrey Roe, 44, went into cardiac arrest, died in 1971
Barbara Roe, 35, injected with saline, went into convulsions and died in 1971
Becky Roe, 18, sent home to die of sepsis in 1971
Belle Roe, 21, died of sepsis from RU-486 abortion, 2009
Beth Roe, 35, died of saline abortion complications in 1971
Betty Roe, 29, reacted to local anesthetic, died in 1974
Beverly Roe, 21, aborted at 35 weeks because baby had anencephaly, c. 1975
Brenda Roe, 31, choked on vomit and died from prostaglandin abortion in 1974
Carmen Roe, 29, internal organs left rotting during RU-486 abortion in 2008
Cherish Roe, died of RU-486 abortion in 2005
Christi Roe, 29, died of embolism during saline abortion in 1972
Cindy Roe, 25, killed by air in the bloodstream in 1972
Colleen Roe, 31, went into respiratory arrest and died in 1972
Connie Roe, 31, died five days after abortion in 1972
Danielle Roe, 18, died minutes after her abortion in 1972
Dawn Roe, 29, went into convulsions and died in 1972
Denise Roe, 27, three mistaken attempts to abort caused her death in 1977
Donna Roe, 18, died of prostaglandin abortion complications in 1973
Dorothy Roe, 44, died during hysterotomy abortion (cutting open the uterus and taking the baby out to die) in 1973
Eleanor Roe, 20, died from saline abortion in 1973
Ellen Roe #1, 22, died of amniotic fluid embolism in 1974
Ellen Roe #2, 18, died from incomplete abortion in 1983
Erica Roe, 20, developed clotting disorder and died in 1974
Faith Roe, 21, bled to death from punctured uterus in 1974
Faye Roe, 18, discovered pulseless in recovery room, died in 1979
Gail Roe, 23, died of hemorrhage from a large hole in her uterus in 1975
Georgette Roe died in 1975 from a heart inflammation after a legal abortion in Illinois.
Gloria Roe, 35, left six children motherless when she died in 1976
Isabel Roe, died of hemorrhage and peritonitis in 1981
Judy Roe, 42, left four children motherless when she died from abortion in 1970
Julie Roe, 14, died of sepsis from perforated uterus and bowel in 1972
Kimberly Roe, 25, went into cardiac arrest and died in 1970
Lori Roe, 17, died of sepsis in 1970
Malorie Roe, 35, died of embolism from a saline abortion in 1974
Mary Roe, 19, bled to death in 1971
Melissa Roe, 27, died from abortion using antiquated saline method in 1992
Molly Roe, 21, died from saline abortion performed because of lupus in 1975
Monica Roe, 31, died of complications of hysterectomy abortion in 1971
Nadine Roe, 32, bled to death from uterine perforation in 1978
Nancy Roe, 16, developed fatal embolism and clotting problems in 1972
Pamela Roe, 38, killed by physician-prescribed abortion in 1974
Patricia Roe, 16, died from complications of catheter abortion in 1975
Robin Roe, 21, developed hepatitis and died after abortion in 1972
Roseanne Roe, 37, died of anoxic brain damage in 1971
Roxanne Roe, 17, reacted to medications and died in 1972
Sandra Roe, 18, killed herself after abortion, not knowing she was not actually pregnant, in 1971
Sara Roe, 22, developed infection from retained tissue, died in 1972
Serena Roe, 22, died of septic shock and hemorrhage in 1980
Sherri Roe, 20, died from complications of urea abortion in 1975
Sophie Roe, died from a post-abortion blood clot in 1975
Susan Roe, 21, died in Maine in 1992
Tammy Roe, 33, died of infection after abortion in 1971
Tara Roe, died from medical abortion in 2005
Teresa Roe, 19, died from prostaglandin abortion in 1974
Terri Roe, 43, died of abortion complications in 1991
Vanessa Roe, 35, died from pulmonary embolism in 1973
Vicki Roe, 23, died of post-abortion sepsis in 1971
Wanda Roe, died from chemical abortion in 2006
Wendy Roe, 23, died from saline abortion in 1972
Yvonne Roe, 19, died of sepsis in 1999
Julia Rogers, 20, died of uterine necrosis (her uterus rotting inside her) in 1973 after an abortion by civil-rights-activist-turned-abortionist T.R. Mason Howard
Rhonda Rollinson, 32, multiple abortion attempts killed her in 1992
Allegra Roseberry, 41, lies by doctors led her to fatal abortion in 1988
Antonesha Ross, 18, started coughing up blood and wasn't resuscitated, 2009
Sharonda Rowe, 17, died of massive air embolism in 1981
Rhonda Ruggiero, 29, died of pulmonary embolism in 1982
Stacy Ruckman, 23, died from deliberate, massive overdose of Lidocaine in 1988
LaSandra Russ, 20, died after hospital abortion in 1971
Tamiia Russell, 15, died after abuser's sister arranged abortion in 2004
F.S., 16, languished for seven months before she died in 1970
Stella Saenz, 42, died of sepsis and anaphylactic shock in 1968
Angela Sanchez, 27, died when clinic owner injected her with drugs in 1993
Maria Santiago, 38, was not adequately monitored and not properly resuscitated when she stopped breathing in 2013.
Angela Satterfield, 23, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1990
Carole Schaner, 37, bled to death in motel after abortion in 1971 while the doctor was awaiting trial in another woman's death
Pearl Schwier, 42, died on the operating table during a hysterotomy abortion
Angela Scott, 19, went into coma and died in 1979
Semika Shaw, 22, doped to death at Kermit Gosnell's "house of horrors," 2000
Oriene Shevin, 34, died from RU-486 abortion sepsis in 2005
Gloria Small, 43, died after uterine puncture in 1978
Delores Smith, 15, left unattended with anesthesia running, went into coma, died in 1979
Diane Smith, 23, died of perforated uterus and sepsis in 1976
Laura Hope Smith, 22, stopped breathing while attended by a "hand holder" in 2007
Margaret Louise Smith, 24, bled to death in 1971 from a sliced uterus
Teresa Smith, 31, died of pulmonary embolism 1988
Laura Sorrels, 30, died in motel room, baby daughter by her side, in 1988
Christi Stile, 39, remained in a vegetative state before dying in 2015, nearly 22 years after her abortion.
Kathryn Strong, 26, died of perforated uterus and shock in 1972
Jennifer Suddeth, 17, bled to death in 1982 while her boyfriend begged the clinic for help that never camae
Tami Suematsu, 19, died from asthma-related respiratory failure in 1988
Yvonne Tanner, 22, went into coma, died in 1984
Michelle Thames, 18, died of abortion complications in 1987
Ingrid Thomas, 28, died of peritonitis in 1991
Magnolia Thomas, 36, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1986
Hoa Thuy "Vivian" Tran, 22, died from septic medical abortion in 2003
Elizabeth Tsuji, 21, died of mysterious causes after abortion in 1978
Cheryl Tubbs, 29, bled to death from uterine rupture in 1975
Maureen Tyke, 21, died of septic shock in 1983
Iris Valazquez, 20, died of abortion complications in 1987
Cycloria Vangates, 32, died from cervical laceration in 1976
Latachie Veal, 17, sent home to bleed to death in 1991
Brenda Vise, 38, given RU-486 for undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy, died in 2002
Cheryl Vosseler, 17, died of abortion complications in 1969
Gail Vroman, 20, died from gas gangrene in 1979
Pamela Wainwright, 37, died after carbon dioxide was pumped into her body during abortion in 1987
Lynette Wallace, 22, died from undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy in 1975 after abortion at the seedy Inglewood Women's Hospital
Debra Walton, 35, died of septic shock in 1989
Nicey Washington, 26, suddenly died after abortion in 2000
Sheila Watley, 31, died of amniotic fluid embolism in 1987
Diane Watson, 27, went into seizures from anesthesia and died in 1987
Ingar Weber, 28, died from undiagnosed kidney problems in 1990
Robin Wells, 27, overdosed with anesthesia in 1981
Ta Tanisha Wesson, 24, allowed to choke while unattended at FPA facility in 1995
Chivon Williams, died after abortion in 1996
Ellen Williams, 38, died of peritonitis in 1985 after being treated only with oral antibiotics
Nichole Williams, 22, died of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in 1997
Sandra Williams, 30, died from pulmonary embolism in 1984
Shirley Williams, 30, died from infection and hemorrhage in 1980
Tanya Williamson, 28, died due to neglect after abortion in 1996
Lakisha Wilson, 22, suffered brain death due to blood loss in 2014
Carole Wingo, 22, died of abortion complications in 1974
Virginia Wolfe, 33, died of blood loss in 1998
Darlene Wood, 23, died from complications of abortion anesthesia in 1982
Gail Wright, 29, died of sepsis in 1986
Stacy Zallie, 20, committed suicide after abortion in 2002